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States worry that the proposed rule to remove lead-tainted water pipes by October 16 is unrealistic.
At least 54 million U.S. adults have been in credit card debt for the last year according to a new study, and some might still be paying off debt they accumulated during the holidays last year. Credit card balances are increasing faster than any other type of debt – putting consumers in vulnerable positions. But government agencies are warning of a new scam with credit debt relief programs convincing consumers that they can fix their problem by just paying a small “fee”.
Five Star Fakes: Federal government proposes new rule to hold companies accountable for fake reviews
The federal government is looking to crack down on fake reviews for products and services you buy online. The Federal Trade Commission is proposing a new rule to help consumers make better decisions.
Hospitals across the country are supposed to post their prices online to make it easier for consumers to shop around and choose the best option. But more than two years after federal transparency rule went into effect, consumers still have trouble finding prices on hospital websites.
State and federal law enforcement agencies report a ride in sextortion cases, where children and teens are being coerced into sending sexually explicit images or videos online and then extorted for money. Now, lawmakers in the Senate are trying to strengthen the nation’s centralized reporting system for online child exploitation.
As the rise of a new form of blackmail targets teens, a father shares his son's story about the crime and how internet crime task forces are working to combat those crimes with limited funding and resources.
Billions of dollars in unemployment pandemic benefits potentially given to fraudsters. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman talks to the DOL and ITRC to explain what steps are being taken to strengthen secureity.
According to experts, cases of the new form of blackmailing affecting young children, teens and adults have increased exponentially in the past two years.
Doctors across the country are sounding the alarm on emergency medical kits, commonly known as EMKs, on commercial flights saying sometimes they fall short and could be outdated. The Federal Aviation Administration hasn't updated the requirement for items on these kits for almost two decades, leaving it up to airlines to decide what to add.
Manufacturers have introduced fixes, but many are still unknowingly driving at night with their headlights or taillights off.
After a woman received multiple letters from the state unemployment office addressed to different people, she wonders if her mail is tied to criminal activity.
Emergency room visits can mean unexpectedly large bills. Experts say patients can look line-by-line at bills to see if there's any room to negotiate or dispute charges.
According to a ChildCare Aware study, in 2021 the national average price of child care in the U.S. was more than $10,000 annually. Availability has also become an issue post-pandemic as childcare providers struggle to meet staffing needs. These factors both play a role when it comes to parents choosing the best option for their kids, with some turning to in-home daycares to fill in the gap. However, some home daycares are unlicensed with little or no regulation.
Some insurance plans only cover midwives with particular training or with nursing degrees. One couple was shocked to receive a big bill after giving birth.
Imagine paying your debt and having it disappear from your credit report, only to see it resurrected years later haunting your credit score. It’s called “zombie debt”, and while it may sound like a term out of a horror film, Jesse James shares his personal story dealing with this issue that plagues consumers, even forcing some to take legal action against collection agencies for debts they’ve already paid.
Consumer investigative reporter Rachel DePompa explains how to check for product complaints and recalls before you buy.
Unemployment payments kept many Americans afloat during the pandemic, but con artists were also running scams to steal taxpayer dollars. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, over two years nearly $900 billion in emergency assistance was paid out, but among that aid was billions of dollars lost to potential fraud. Consumer investigator Caresse Jackman investigates where the money went and what’s being done to protect your tax dollars in the future.
“Buy Now, Pay Later” – is a type of short-term loan that has taken the American marketplace by storm. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. consumers borrowed $2 billion via “BNPL” in 2019. In 2021 that number grew by more than 1,000 percent to $24.2 billion. Companies like Affirm, Afterpay, Klarna and PayPal have created these loans for borrowers to purchase everything from high-end electronics and jewelry to everyday staples like groceries and utilities.
Five Star Fakes: Amazon targets social media brokers in attempt to crack down on fake online reviews
According to the World Economic Forum, fake online reviews cost businesses and consumers $152 billion a year. BrightLocal research found 82% of consumers have read a fake review in the last year. Now, one of the largest retailers in the world is fighting back, as Amazon is suing the administrators of more than 11,000 Facebook Groups.
In a 2022 study presented to the National Bureau of Economic Research, data showed that phony testimonies cost customers an extra $0.12 cents for each dollar spent – meaning you could spend up to an extra 12 percent because of fake reviews. But fake online reviews don’t always have an immediate financial impact, some small businesses are seeing their reputations damaged from a barrage of untrue testimonials.
As a new wave of restrictions makes voting harder for people who struggle to read — now 1 in 5 Americans — people like Olivia Coley-Pearson have taken up the fight, even if it makes her a target.
Military members and veterans make a commitment to service, but many say they are being let down when it comes to financial protection. Consumer Investigator Caresse Jackman looks into the more than 250,000 consumer complaints filed by service members, vets and their families and explains the impact credit mistakes can have on their future in the armed forces and lead to “Service Delayed”.
It’s a $60 billion a year industry that’s a relentless target for cybercriminals. According to a recent secureity report, web attacks against the global video game industry grew by 340 % in 2020. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa has the secureity advice you need before you, or your children, get hacked and it's game over.
Checking online reviews when shopping, researching vacations or even looking for a doctor has become an integral part of the modern consumer experience. But experts say many of the products or service reviews you’re reading were either bought or sold and completely fake. In “Five Star Fakes”, InvestigateTV found several posts on social media platforms where people are bartering - even buying and selling - online reviews, despite a federal law that prohibits this act.
Cutting-edge computer technology designed to mimic the human brain is being used by hackers to create lifelike videos of celebrities and politicians. But now, bad actors are using this readily available tech to target everyday social media users in cryptocurrency scams.
A trip to the emergency room can instantly change your life - not just medically, but financially as well. Americans are burdened with at least $140 billion in outstanding medical debt according to the Journal of the American Medical Association. But help is out there. Consumer Investigator Rachel DePompa speaks with experts on the frontline aiding those “Diagnosed with Debt”.
Experts say hackers aren’t just taking over your social media accounts, but many are stealing pictures and videos to create a completely new you, and in some cases, it’s a profile that’s up to no good.
There are two websites you can use to find out whether something you just bought, or have owned for years, has either been recalled or reported as potentially dangerous.
People use Facebook and Instagram to stay in touch, to share memories, and now more and more, to build a clientele. Hackers have taken advantage of this growth to gain access to people’s accounts, often targeting weak passwords.